Mindy Leary, Nederland. Only three graduates, Alyssa Cartwright, Michael Labella and Emily Busby, were presented with diplomas this year from Chinook West in Nederland, the only contract school in the Boulder Valley School District. Since 2002, Chinook has served over 155 students that desire a non-traditional setting to accomplish their academic goals.

Stephen Lafaiver, Executive Director, introduced the graduates, remarking on their hard work and achievements, “Whether rafting on the San Juan River, rock climbing in Moab, backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park, exploring the Sand Dunes, or volunteering at Mission Wolf, each of these students has taken a healthy risk in challenging themselves during a Chinook West Learning Adventure.”

The keynote speaker was Torin Peret, who was integral in getting the leadership programs up and running. He is a Teamworks member and supervisor who now volunteers with Camp Wapiyapi, which is a Denver-based nonprofit organization offering an exceptional camp experience that fosters friendships, fun and healing outside of the hospital for families facing childhood cancer. 

Firstly, Torin congratulated each student on their achievement and on starting a new and exciting chapter of their lives. He shared his own story that in 2015 when he was 20 years old, he was told that he had a brain tumor, took a leave from CSU and returned to Nederland. 

He said, “I wasn’t sure of a whole lot, but I was sure that not even a brain tumor was going to stop me from doing the things I love, which includes finding the humor in everything.” He named his brain tumor, “Chad.” The biopsy on Chad revealed it was a high-grade brain cancer. Up until the very last week of radiation, he was still skiing and playing hockey. 

In closing, Torin offered a piece of advice: “Even within terrible circumstances, there are opportunities for tremendous personal growth. As you enter adulthood, use your unique education here as an advantage. Approach challenges from a different angle, prove you are more empathetic than the average human being, and stick true to each of your own core values.”

Dan Van der Vieren presented Alyssa Cartwright with a diploma and a Rubik’s Cube, which is a guiding theme for Van der Vieren, who quoted Erno Rubik, the inventor of the Rubik’s Cube. “If you are curious, you will find the puzzles around you, and if you are determined, you will solve them.” 

Tom Holmquist, the language arts teacher, introduced Michael Labella with a quote, “The tests we face in life’s journey are not to reveal our weaknesses but to help us discover our inner strengths. We can only know how strong we are when we strive to thrive beyond the challenges we face.” Holmquist sung Labella’s praises saying when he first began at Chinook he struggled with his grades. Labella graduated with a 3.6 GPA.

Melissa Elbert, the Teamworks Program assistant, presented Emily Busby, fighting through tears, saying how she will never forget how special Emily’s energy and confidence is. She described how not a moment has passed that she hasn’t been impressed by Emily and her resourcefulness. Emily has plans to travel and make art.

The graduation ceremony concluded with applause for staff, teachers, coordinators and directors with a group photo of staff and board members widely smiling. Then there were  refreshments for graduates and parents. 

(Originally published in the May 30, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)